Communication

Communication

Why is communication an important skill for a healthcare professional?

• Building trust with patients
  • They are more likely to share information with you if you have built this trust through empathetic communication. You could be empathetic but with poor communication skills this may not come across right.

• Better at getting the right information
  • Clear communication will ensure you ask relevant questions to draw out appropriate information. This is why there is a focus early in OSCE preparation on systematic history taking; patients don’t always supply all the relevant information unless you ask the correct questions.

• Patients are more likely to remember how you made them feel more than the extent to which you have cured their issues
  • This can be a controversial point as healthcare professionals may feel that being a ‘harsh’ but ultimately helpful doctor is better for patients than one who is empathetic but cannot help; however, patients are much more likely to remember situations in which they were made to feel helpless, scared, and had little information to go off of. In an ideal world both knowledge and communication skills work in tandem, but never underestimate how much being clear and honest can reassure a patient even when the next steps aren’t clear.

• Allows you to adapt to diverse audiences, as doctors will meet many patients from different backgrounds
  • There will be situations in which as a healthcare professional you might encounter difficulties, such as cultural differences or language barriers. Even in the presence of a a chaperone, maintaining good non-verbal communication skills can go a long way in helping patients feel heard and valued. This can be as simple as still directing your questions at the patient instead of the translator, and continuing to nod as they reply.

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What are some ways in which you can show good communication skills?

• Leadership examples, e.g. being part of a committee, member of a student union etc.
  • You can use the same example for several qualities, but be very careful in phrasing this as you must show how you developed the communication skills even if it is a leadership role. Focus on things such as talking to suppliers to organise events or speaking to audiences.
• Debating clubs
  • If you have had to debate for a point you personally disagree with, highlight how this has allowed you to improve your communication skills and how this might be helpful in a medical setting to mediate between parties.
• Volunteering, work experience
  • If you have had the opportunity to talk to patients, this can be a highly relevant medical example, especially with elderly patients that may have difficulty hearing.
• Tutoring/Peer Mentoring
  • Breaking down complex information so that it is digestible is something you will have to do as a healthcare professional, so it is valuable if you have experience doing this in a school setting.

Look at the next page for ideas on communication skills questions you may be asked.